¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I had this trouble every time with my ¡¯84 Vanagon. I could get it to pass with a high idle (just under the 1100 max they allow here). It didn¡¯t have a cat, but was supposed to. Richen it up a tad, and crank up the idle, and try again before throwing money at it. Better yet, have a shop that guarantees passing tweak it. We have a guy here that has a van with a Sun tester in it right next to the emissions test station. For $40 he would even take my Vanagon through for me. It passed every time! (I think he bribed the testers!)



Stuart

¡¯97 EVC, Seattle



_____

From: ev_update@... [mailto:ev_update@...] On Behalf Of Ian Mothersill
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 2:01 PM
To: ev_update@...
Subject: [ev_update] Failed Smog Test (Aircare) but closer this time....



Hello all,

The short version is, what do you check if the NOx is too high (and CO
is close to being too high) to pass the smog test?

A while back I failed the Vancouver-area "Aircare" smog test with very
high CO and HC readings (posting #103838). Turned out the blue 2
wire temp. sensor wasn't plugged in properly, so I was running in
default rich mode. This happened when I was diagnosing "no starting"
problems. I burned about ?? tank of gas with the sensor unplugged.
Plugged it back in, and the van ran better and didn't smell of gas.
So I waited for a couple of tanks of gas, some around town and some
highway driving, then went back to re-test. I also installed a 470
ohm resistor in the circuit to the Intake Air Temp sensor; haven?€?t had
any instances of high idling since then (something that happened from
time to time before). This time, HC and CO are OK, but NOx is higher
- high enough to fail.

Plugs, Cap, rotor, and wires are all new.

The readings on the first test were:
|max Allowed | reading | Avg. Pass
HC | .9900 | 1.6849 | .3049 >> FAIL
CO | 12.43 | 36.8187 | 6.1019 >> FAIL
NOx | 1.5500 | 1.2423 | 0.7272 >> Pass, but higher than
average

The readings on the second test are:
|max Allowed | reading | Avg. Pass
HC | .9900 | 0.6051 | .3049 >> Pass, but higher than
average
CO | 12.43 | 11.1820 | 6.1019 >> Pass ?€" barely!!
NOx | 1.5500 | 1.7398 | 0.7272 >> FAIL

I seem to remember that high NOx is often a catalytic converter gone
bad. Is that the case? Anything else to check out, such as the
Oxygen sensor? Timing?

My van has a ?€?generic?€? converter that was put in a couple years ago by
a previous owner. The front pipe that comes with the ?€?factory?€?
converter is wearing through, so if it is the Cat I can kill 2 birds
with one stone on this.

Thanks.
Ian Mothersill
93 EV Weekender 5 speed





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Lighten up already. Kludging a 5000BTU 110VAC air conditioner on top
of a camper van and then asking "what's a carbon footprint?" isn't
just kind of funny, it's hysterically funny.

("Solar panels leave a carbon footprint".....uh, no.)

days ago i was mentionning that my 2.5 was very anemic with no power
and making 18 cdn liters per 100 KM which is very anormal. On top of
that my automatic transmission was not working very well.

I finally found the problem wich was my timing, after adjustment,
everything became anormal, the power is back the gas is ok and my
transmission is working ok now.

To who it can help.

If you want to order one I think you can get it from www.lichtsinn.com
<> . Last time I checked, the kit was $650! And
you'll need to install it, or pay someone for about 6 hours work. I don't
think it's worth it. I've been as high as 10,000' (Paradise, at Mt. Rainier
NP) with no problems. If you are having trouble with the fridge, it may be
something else. There is complete Norcold documentation in the files
section for your reading pleasure!



Stuart

'97 EVC with one vent

_____

From: ev_update@... [mailto:ev_update@...] On Behalf
Of dshel17
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:23 PM
To: ev_update@...
Subject: [ev_update] who offered norcold high altitude kit?



i understand the 97 and newer evc's had two exhaust/intake vents
installed to help with fridge performance. i have read here where a
high altitude kit was offered free of charge to previous owners at one
time who only had the single sytem. who was paying for this kit?
norcold, winnebago, or vw?

I have a 96 ev camper, After i plugged the 120 volts on my van , I had
the electricity working in the van but i noticed that an important
noise came from behind the electric and 12 volts panel located at the
back of the vehicle under the shower. Taking the control panel off I
can see that the noise is coming from what i think is the charger
located on the floor. The noise is there till i diconnect (110V) that
charger or what ever it is or till i jump the ground fault plug, and
then ther is no more electicity in the van (the 12V is OK).Somebodt can
help me on that. i dont have the wiring schedule of that system and
could not find it int the vehicle manual.help would be appreciate.

Ha--yeah! Well, I'm just glad to also end up with a vehicle that can
reasonably easily haul 4'x8' sheets and such, too. That's a
non-vacation related issue that we feel like we've addressed, here, too.
I'm jazzed, all the way around. --Charley

________________________________

From: ev_update@... [mailto:ev_update@...] On
Behalf Of Sea2river@...
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:01 AM
To: ev_update@...
Subject: Re: [ev_update] Re: Newbie must express himself...!



You should have kept the TT and stored it in the van.

Bob

--- In ev_update@..., "Dan Cross" <dan.cross@...> wrote:

My advice is this: First don't talk to that
dealer again unless you bring a lawyer. Next, do the adaption. The
procedure is in the files.

If your ATF and filter hasn't been changed at 40K or less get that
done. If you still have issues after this then take it to and ATRA
shop. You can find one near you at:

Thank you for the links. I will start checking with the ATRA shops
near my location.

I guess I have to decide whether to leave the vehicle where it is
(about 2 hours away) or have it towed back here where I can more
easily get additional opinions.

-Erich

This is typical. I wonder how many EV transmissions have been
unnecessary replaced because loyal VW customers trusted the advice of
morons like these. My advice is this: First don't talk to that
dealer again unless you bring a lawyer. Next, do the adaption. The
procedure is in the files.

If your ATF and filter hasn't been changed at 40K or less get that
done. If you still have issues after this then take it to and ATRA
shop. You can find one near you at:

Ideally you should pick one that has experience with EVs but anyone
that works on VW/Audi transmissions will be good. Have them do a
diagnostic/pressure check. This will give you a lot more
authoritative indication of what may be wrong with your tranny if
anything. In any case getting this attended to promptly is best
since low pressure can lead to accelerated clutch wear. One more
thing! Relax; it's probably not as bad as you fear.

IVAN
Therefore:
I am,
Dan


--- In ev_update@..., "efickel" <EFickel@...> wrote:

Hi group. I've been here in the past, but I've been away from the
group for quite some time. I could use a little advice.

My EV seems to have a bad transmission. The dealer says it needs a

new

one, and this he has decided upon only seeing and smelling the
transmission fluid. The van does not shift properly through the

lower

gears, but runs fine at highway speed. Downshifting to go uphill is
sometimes troublesome.

One of the rebuilders I found through reading group posts,

indicated a

possible cause of my woes. I had a battery replaced before my

vacation

(from which I just returned). It was not done at a dealer. The
rebuilder suggested that perhaps the "adaptation program" wasn't run
after the computer lost its memory. Is that possible? Could that
destroy a transmission? Or could it mean that I just need to have

the

"adaptation program" performed and the ATF flushed?

Dealer is quoting $5700 for new transmission installed, which he
insists is new and not a factory rebuild. GoWesty seems to have the
best warranty for approximately the same cost. There is also a site
selling rebuilt EV transmissions for $1850, which seems enticingly

low.

Any ideas? I am currently waiting for a response from Volkswagen
regarding assistance with the problem.

-Erich

You said, iirc, that was a 5000 BTU air conditioner. Where does that
energy come from?

Most electricity generation is from carbon (in CA, for example, over
half is from coal and fuel oil; in Ohio almost 90% is from coal alone).

It varies by state (and utility company -- for example Progress Energy
gets 35% from nuclear, but they only serve a few million people in the
Southeast), but bottom line is most electricity comes from burning carbon.

And the "Largest Carbon Footprint" Award goes to........


ROFL



--- In ev_update@..., kgkirkley@... wrote:

Garrett et al:

I have posted five photographs in the photos section of this Yahoo

Group,

Album: Kirkley'97EVC

These five photographs show how I have mounted a 5000btu room air

contioning

unit in the luggage carrier of my '97EVC, the canvas shroud used to

connect

the a/c to the front poptop window, Reflectix insulation panels, an

interior

view of the installation and and the vehicle in use.

These were taken several years ago and I no longer mount the a/c

unit as in

the photographs.
The photos show a more or less permanent mounting which I used to

use during

the hot summers.
I would leave the a/c mounted, with a cover and drive with it mounted.
I no longer do this due to drag and reduction of mpg's.
Now, I carry the a/c inside the vehicle for travel and install it after
arriving at the camp site.
Instead of the painted wooden board and angle brackets, I now only

use a 2

inch thick piece of poly foam cut to the exact footprint of the a/c

unit. I

place this in the luggage carrier and place the a/c on top. This

raises the a/c

unit and insulates its vibrations from the vehicle.

The Reflectix insulation for the poptop is inexpensive and simple to
fabricate..
It is easily cut with scissors and held in place with Velcro tabs.
Reflectix is available in the insulation department of Home Depot

and Lowes',

etc.
It comes in various sizes but for these panels you'll want the

48inch x 25

ft. roll, costing abt. $45.
This is enough for all the panels with some left over.
The Reflectix offered at these places is silver on both sides but I

have

found this to be a problem as the places where it touches the

vehicle's paint, it

leaves silver gray aluminum marks which are hard to remove. I found

that

Reflectix was available with one side silver and one side white.

With the white

side toward the canvas the marking no longer happens. To get the one

white sided

Reflectix you have to have them order it which takes a few

weeks.....but it

costs only $30 a roll.

For traveling, I store the four panels (two sides, rear and front)

flat on

top the upper bunk mattress.

I use the A/C only during the hot months, but almost always use the

Reflectix

insulation except those rare (in Texas anyway) Fall or Spring days. In
summer, the insulation keeps the heat out and the cool in, in winter

it keeps the

heat in and the cold out....Duh!!!

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC


****
Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for
fuel-efficient used cars.
()

There is also a site

selling rebuilt EV transmissions for $1850, which seems enticingly low. <<



I believe that price is for if you are a member. I think the real price is
around $2,200 which is still a bargain. I'd definitely go with one of the 2
sites that have EV trannys before I'd pay VW $5,700 to install one.



Bryan

Thanks Billy, I'm glad I found it, too. Let's just say that over the
past 4-5 days (i.e., since my wife and I started getting deadly serious
about potentially buying this van), I've been trolling the internet
pret-ty intensely!

We got a file folder with chronologically ordered, apparently totally
complete, service and maintenance records (and in fact I was able to
look those over prior to buying the vehicle, which was good--and more on
that below...). According to the record for its visit to have a new
transmission installed, the van abruptly "would not go into reverse".
Yikes. So I dunno, I think maybe in this case, it really did need a new
one...anyhow, it sure got one. I'll certainly log away your note below
about the "reset trick", though. Interestingly, the dealer (who
specializes in near-showroom-perfect used high-end Audis and Porsches,
and didn't know much about the Eurovan at all, in general or in
particular with this unique vehicle), and I, missed this humongous
service receipt (it shows up in the file as like a $48 bill, but the
real big ticket on the bill was "WARRANTY", which we both missed!)
initially, and so I got them to put the van on the rack and drain out
the ATF, so we could all "witness" the condition of the fluid, see if
there were a lot of nasty big chunks of steel on the pan magnet, etc.
Well, as soon as the VIRTUALLY CLEAR ATF started draining out, we all
started scratching our heads and wondering how it could possibly be
<that> near-new looking! That's when I pulled out the file folder of
service bills they'd loaned me overnight, and we found that the
transmission had 10,000 miles on it! They were a bit miffed (bye-bye
$100+ of perfectly good synthetic ATF!), but hey, it wasn't my fault,
either! At least I know without a doubt that the trannie in this thing
is..."mint", which is as good a feeling as it gets in that department.

The one other "achilles heel component" I've read about in my Eurovan
web wanderings, is the air conditioner compressor. Have you or others
encountered this as an issue?

Thanks again for the welcome, I'm sure I'll have a lotta more questions.

Charley

--by the way, I traded in a pretty beloved 2002 Audi TT with 42K miles
on it, for this van. So, you know you definitely have a new "true
believer" on your hands here! : )

________________________________

From: ev_update@... [mailto:ev_update@...] On
Behalf Of FreedaPeeple
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:10 AM
To: ev_update@...
Subject: [ev_update] Re: Newbie must express himself...!



Charles,

Congrats & WELCOME TO EVC PARADISE! :) But I must warn you, this
place can become and ADDICTION real fast, so be prepared!

Actually, you are one of the lucky ones to find this site. Frankly,
as an EVC & EVWK owner, I would be "lost" without it. Here, you will
find pretty much everything you'll need to know about the care &
maintenance of your EVC. Plus you're sure to make a few great friends
that are always willing to help!

For starters...there is a good chance the tranny in your EVC just
needed to hae the "magic tranny reset trick" applied. (see files
section) Your EVC has an "adaptive" tranny, meaning it adapts to your
driving habits, and every once in awhile you'll find it will not
shift past 2nd gear, until "reset" the tranny. Most tranny shops DO
NOT know about the reset "trick" and have taken some unsuspecting EV
owners for a REAL EXPENSIVE, yet unnecessary "ride!"

Best of luck with your "new" EVC. You've got LOTS to learn. I've been
here a few years & still learning!

Best, Billy"Seagull"

--- In ev_update@... <mailto:ev_update%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"Charley Hale" <charley.hale@...>
wrote:

Ok, thanks for existing and I'm glad I found you here; just joined.

I bought one of these crazy things yesterday in Boulder, CO; 2001
Eurovan Camper with 51k miles and super fine shape (as well it

should

be, it was pretty expensive) (but I'm NOT remorseful--we're really
looking forward to driving and enjoying this van). A few fairly
innocuous dings on the outside, and inside nothing much more than

one

of the two large black handles in the pop-top ceiling having been
yanked on too hard, it would appear (I have the handle and will be
trying to re-install it better and for good). Its auto

transmission

completely failed in 2004 under warranty and so it now has about

10k

miles on the new one; I <guess> that's a good thing...! Poring

over

the actual machine, and all the extensive documentation that came

with

it. I'm happy to be here!

Charley Hale
Lafayette, CO

Hi group. I've been here in the past, but I've been away from the
group for quite some time. I could use a little advice.

My EV seems to have a bad transmission. The dealer says it needs a new
one, and this he has decided upon only seeing and smelling the
transmission fluid. The van does not shift properly through the lower
gears, but runs fine at highway speed. Downshifting to go uphill is
sometimes troublesome.

One of the rebuilders I found through reading group posts, indicated a
possible cause of my woes. I had a battery replaced before my vacation
(from which I just returned). It was not done at a dealer. The
rebuilder suggested that perhaps the "adaptation program" wasn't run
after the computer lost its memory. Is that possible? Could that
destroy a transmission? Or could it mean that I just need to have the
"adaptation program" performed and the ATF flushed?

Dealer is quoting $5700 for new transmission installed, which he
insists is new and not a factory rebuild. GoWesty seems to have the
best warranty for approximately the same cost. There is also a site
selling rebuilt EV transmissions for $1850, which seems enticingly low.

Any ideas? I am currently waiting for a response from Volkswagen
regarding assistance with the problem.

-Erich

My 2002 EVWK has 58K miles. It's hard to shift into reverse, esp when cold, and there is an occasional lag.
My questions-are there any signs of a transmisssion about to fail? What is "limp mode"?
I am planning to take a few short trips.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
(I have done one belated trans oil change at 52K. Plan to do another at 60)

Judy

In a message dated 6/19/08 11:29:06 AM, dave_king_ev@... writes:

Lighten up already.? Kludging a 5000BTU 110VAC air conditioner on top
of a camper van and then asking "what's a carbon footprint?" isn't
just kind of funny, it's hysterically funny.

("Solar panels leave a carbon footprint".....uh, no.)

There wasn't a smiley face at the end of your original comment.
Sure solar panels have a carbon footprint.
Somebody has to make them and making them using materials and energy.
Where does that come from:)))

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC


****
Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for
fuel-efficient used cars.
()


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 6/19/08 10:34:54 AM, dave_king_ev@... writes:

You said, iirc, that was a 5000 BTU air conditioner.? Where does that
energy come from?

Most electricity generation is from carbon (in CA, for example, over
half is from coal and fuel oil; in Ohio almost 90% is from coal alone).

It varies by state (and utility company -- for example Progress Energy
gets 35% from nuclear, but they only serve a few million people in the
Southeast), but bottom line is most electricity comes from burning carbon.

Soooooo Whaaaaaaat!

I was answering a request from Garrett (and others) concerning being able to
keep cool in their EVCs while camping in hot weather. Any form of cooling
and/or cooling devices will require energy and producing that energy will leave a
carbon footprint.....even a generator, even solar panels, even batteries,
etc. Perhaps you live in a place with perfect weather but I doubt it.
Your statement is misplaced and irrevelant.
Perhaps you would like to state your living situation and we can examine your
carbon footprint.
Perhaps you have a better solution to keeping cool?
If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

This list is and has been a place where EV and EVC owners solve problems and
help each other with their vehicles.

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC


****
Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for
fuel-efficient used cars.
()

You should have kept the TT and stored it in the van.

Bob

In a message dated 6/19/08 9:45:48 AM, dave_king_ev@... writes:

And the "Largest Carbon Footprint" Award goes to........

And why would that be.........?

Kent


****
Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for
fuel-efficient used cars.
()

This response is very interesting because it does seem the rough
ideling started just after I put a new battery in. How can I find out
how to do the throttle body adaption? I am suppose to be bringing the
van in today for the new coil 1200$. although that code has been
going on for many months so I proably should do that too? thanks for
all the help
--- In ev_update@..., "Garrett" <garrett.elists@...>
wrote:

"tkirschhofer" <toddk@> wrote:

new battery, just wouldnt turn over

That's the BIG clue, right there. If your battery went dead and

you

put in a new battery... and, subsequently you did get the engine
started, but are lamenting that you have a rough engine... and then
spend all kinds of money at a dealership. Slow down a second!!

Did you perform a throttle body adaption after your battery install?

If you didn't, you very well could have a very rough engine.

But, you can fix it yourself (if that's the problem) without much
fuss and certainly no expense. Just do the throttle body procedure
and see if that doesn't clear up the rough engine.

Garrett
1999 EVC, "DolphinJazz"
2002 EVC, "Serenity"

Garrett et al:

I have posted five photographs in the photos section of this Yahoo Group,
Album: Kirkley'97EVC

These five photographs show how I have mounted a 5000btu room air contioning
unit in the luggage carrier of my '97EVC, the canvas shroud used to connect
the a/c to the front poptop window, Reflectix insulation panels, an interior
view of the installation and and the vehicle in use.

These were taken several years ago and I no longer mount the a/c unit as in
the photographs.
The photos show a more or less permanent mounting which I used to use during
the hot summers.
I would leave the a/c mounted, with a cover and drive with it mounted.
I no longer do this due to drag and reduction of mpg's.
Now, I carry the a/c inside the vehicle for travel and install it after
arriving at the camp site.
Instead of the painted wooden board and angle brackets, I now only use a 2
inch thick piece of poly foam cut to the exact footprint of the a/c unit. I
place this in the luggage carrier and place the a/c on top. This raises the a/c
unit and insulates its vibrations from the vehicle.

The Reflectix insulation for the poptop is inexpensive and simple to
fabricate..
It is easily cut with scissors and held in place with Velcro tabs.
Reflectix is available in the insulation department of Home Depot and Lowes',
etc.
It comes in various sizes but for these panels you'll want the 48inch x 25
ft. roll, costing abt. $45.
This is enough for all the panels with some left over.
The Reflectix offered at these places is silver on both sides but I have
found this to be a problem as the places where it touches the vehicle's paint, it
leaves silver gray aluminum marks which are hard to remove. I found that
Reflectix was available with one side silver and one side white. With the white
side toward the canvas the marking no longer happens. To get the one white sided
Reflectix you have to have them order it which takes a few weeks.....but it
costs only $30 a roll.

For traveling, I store the four panels (two sides, rear and front) flat on
top the upper bunk mattress.

I use the A/C only during the hot months, but almost always use the Reflectix
insulation except those rare (in Texas anyway) Fall or Spring days. In
summer, the insulation keeps the heat out and the cool in, in winter it keeps the
heat in and the cold out....Duh!!!

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC


****
Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for
fuel-efficient used cars.
()